Making Mountains Out of Molehills

Some of the best lessons I have learned about life have come from running.  Running inspires me to push beyond my comfort zone and challenge myself.  Running reminds me that life is a journey, not an end-point and that those who "lived" the most usually took a circuitous route to the finish.  Most recently, running showed me that most mountains (and overwhelming tasks) are really just molehills in disguise.
 
As my sister and I increased the distance of our long runs this spring, we had to create new running routes.  This usually meant adding mileage to our base loop.  In planning our runs, I always avoided one particular street because it would mean climbing a long, huge hill.  Every week, I would sigh in relief when we turned right to avoid the "mountain".    
 
Of course, our mileage increased to the point where my luck in planning routes around that hill ran out.  We literally had no place to go but up if we wanted to do a loop that didn't repeat itself.  I was sleepless the night before the run as I stressed thinking how painful that hill was going to be.  The only consolation was that a Fleet Feet Peep named Maurice lives at the end of the hill so I figured I could always collapse in his driveway and ask him to drive me home.
 
The morning of the run came, and I tried to enjoy our trusty loop that preceded the hill.  As we approached the hill I took an energy gel and washed it down with a few gulps of water.  I put my head down and concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. 
 
After what seemed like a few minutes, I wondered when I was going to reach the steep part.  I looked up for a quick peek at the terrain ahead and was shocked to see that we were just about to crest the hill.  It turns out that that the angle that we approach the hill at makes it seem much worse than it actually is.  All that worry and stress was for nothing.  That mountain was more like a gentle incline.
 
As we ran on, I had the brilliant realization that I could reduce some stress in my life if I just remembered this lesson the next time I was overwhelmed by the thought of some seemingly daunting task.  Instead of doing everything I could to avoid it, I just need to put my head down and take the first step.  With each step, the mountain will shrink, leaving just a molehill that is easily surmountable!

 

Be Fit!

Generation UCAN:  Olympic Silver Medalist Meb Keflezighi has made this his sport drink of choice.  Unlike other sports drinks that are made with glucose/sugar that can cause an athlete to experience a "spike and crash" effect, UCAN is made from a unique energy source called SuperStarch - a naturally modified carbohydrate that utilizes fat as its fuel source to provide a sustained source of energy that is gentle on the stomach (no gastric distress!).  UCAN comes in powdered form that you mix with water and is available in three flavors:  pomegranate-blueberry, vanilla and chocolate.  
 
Come meet the inventors of Generation UCAN and taste it for yourself, this Saturday from 9-11am.  
 
The Grid:  This revolutionary foam roller has been out-of-stock nationwide for the past two months, but we just received a new shipment of 48.  Unlike regular foam rollers, The Grid is environmentally friendly and features three "distrodensity zones": low/flat zones that mimic the palm of a hand or forearm, high/firm zones that feel like the fingertip and medium/tubular zones that feel like fingers and thumbs.  Using it is like getting a massage!  The Grid also makes an excellent travel companion since its just 13" long, 5" in diameter and hollow (pack your sneakers inside!).  

There are still a few spaces left for the Trigger Point Therapy Workshop on Sunday, June 13.  Click here for more information and here to register.   

The spring racing season is in full swing.  Here are three great neighborhood - and kid friendly! - 5k's to challenge your legs and lungs!
 
Bishops 5k for Kids - May 15 at 9:30am:

Join our latest No Boundaries group this Saturday as they celebrate their 10 weeks of training with a 3.1 mile victory lap through the streets of West Hartford.  The race begins and ends at Webster Hill Elementary School.  You can register online here or beginning at 8am on race day.  Registration fee is $25 for adults and $15 for kids.  All proceeds from the race are used to helpat-risk children throughout CT.
 
This family friendly event also includes a Field Day for kids in Kindergarten through 5th Grade beginning at 9:45am.   Activities include a 1 mile run, ½ mile run and a softball toss.  Evbery kid will receive a t-shirt and prizes will be awarded!

 

 

The 14th running of the Newington Library 5K Challenge road race features a flat, fast course that begins and ends at Mill Pond Park in Newington.  Walkers are welcome to join in the fun.  Awards will be given to the winning male and female runners in each division, plus all finishers will be treated to post-race food and a raffle for great prizes (including Fleet Feet Sports gift certificates!).  
 
Register online and pay only $18 ($8 for children 12 & under) if you register before May 15. 

All proceeds from the race benefit the Newington Library

 

 

This run/walk is stroller friendly and great for those new to 5ks.  The course is "mostly" flat course and very scenic as it winds its way through East Granby Farms
 
The race is put on by the Women's Club of East Granby with proceeds being donated to the East Granby School's athletic department.  After the race, the family can enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, popcorn, ice cream, soda, a "bounce house" for kids and try their luck in the 50/50 raffle for great prizes! 
 
Registration is $30 per adult and $20 per child (kids under 5 are free!).  Click here to print the registration form.

Beginning May 20, Real Art Ways in Hartford will be hosting an exciting new interactive exhibit called "Limited Run" by artist Laura Nova.  Nova is a native of West Hartford, but now lives and works in the Lower East Side in New York City.  She loves using a wide variety of media to explore concepts of public and private behavior and absurd moments of modern existence. 
 
The exhibit was inspired by Nova's extensive training for marathons and triathlons on the recreation paths and tracks of New York City and consists of an indoor track that is constructed within the confines of the gallery walls.  Visitors are encouraged to run or walk around the track to examine the nature and dimension of the space.  A bell rings as people complete a lap. In addition to organizing races with community members, Laura will keep her own running schedule during the course of the exhibition and all events will be broadcast on www.realartways.org through live streaming video.
 
The exhibit runs through Sunday, July 3.

 

 

 

 

For more information about this workshop, contact Joel at 917-860-1450 or email him at joel@joefitnessworld.com.

 

For more events at the store and around CT, visit our online Calendar.  For details on any event, call the store at 860-233-8077. 

 

 

Sat. May 15; 9:30-11am: FREE Injury Assessments: Injured?  Don't know whether you can run/play sports or if you should really see a doctor?  Come to our free injury assessment clinic staffed by a certified athletic trainer from Select Physical Therapy.  No appointment is necessary.   

These free clinics will be offered every other Saturday through the year (next clinic will be Saturday, May 29 from 9:30-11am).

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Sat, May 15; 9-11am: UCAN Taste Test:  We had to cancel this event last week due to rain, but fortunately the UCAN Crew is coming back and bringing their beverage for you to sample.  Learn why UCAN has become Meb Keflezighi's sport drink of choice - and why it can help you start AND finish strong on your long runs.